04/01/2012, Kuoh Town, Afternoon
Makoto walks through Kuoh's streets while listening to some music as he explores the city. He checks the wallet Elizabeth gave him. He still has quite a bit of money, gained during his fights against shadows. 'Money won't be a problem for a while... and also brand new documents'. Makoto is about to put the wallet in his pockets when he notices a folded envelope. He opens it to find a letter.
'My remarkable guest. First of all, my most sincere compliments with your return from death. With great disappointment and sorrow I won't be able to guide you through your new journey, but I've still been able to help you. I prepared documents that you will be able to use in the place you are now, and also setting up a credible background for you with the help of my master. Even though I can't assist you remember that I exists to help my guests during their struggles. I teached Elizabeth how to handle the Velvet Room, but you are it's master in that world, so if you'd ever find yourselves confused by it's functioning, just ask Elizabeth. I leave you with an advice: build new bonds, don't forget the old ones but don't let them to chain you as they will always be your light in darkness and the flame in your heart. Best regards, Igor'.
Makoto finishes to read the old man's letter which makes him smile and carefully folds it into his pocket. He then pulls out the map. 'Universe I suggest to check the main plaza. I found a music shop you would surely like when I was scouting around' says Yatagarus from Makoto's mind. 'A music shop? Sure, let's go there then' decides Makoto starting to walk towards the shop direction.
While he's walking, listening to his music and enjoying the spring weather, Makoto finds himself passing beside a school. 'I never finished highschool now that I think about it' Makoto looks at the school gates and reads a sign saying -Kuoh Academy-.
"I'd like going back to school with you'" says Ryoji who has just manifested himself into reality from Makoto's shade. The other boy looks at his friend with a chastising look. "Ryoji you souldn't appear like this, what if someone sees you?" says Makoto. "Come on! I was getting bored!" complains playfully Ryoji. "It's april, schoolyear is starting soon, this is a perfect opportunity to enjoy our new found lives" Ryoji grabs Makoto's hand and pulls him towards Kuoh Academy's entrance.
"Ryoji we can't lose focus, we have a work to do" says the blue-haired boy seriously. "Makoto, you are behaving like when I first met you. When I was Pharos. Live your life! You can stop Nyarlathotep and still enjoy your time. You did it when you were fighting against the Fall and you can do it now" Ryoji says staring directly in Makoto's eyes who's avoiding eye contact. "Please Makoto, do this for yourself". Makoto sighs and looks up towards Ryoji who's looking back at him waiting for an answer. Feeling his gaze on him Makoto eventually yields. "Fine" he answers making Ryoji chuckle victorious.
The two boys enter the gates and walk through the school ground. They soon arrive at the faculty office and knock on the door. Greeting them there is a teacher speaking with a tall black-haired girl.
"Good morning, we just moved in the city and wewould like to enroll here. I'm Ryoji Mochizuki and this is Makoto Yuki" says Ryoji surprising the two women. "Hello..." the teacher looks at the two boys. "This is a difficult situation, usually new students stop being accepted by the end of March" says the older woman with a conflicted look on her face, then the girl who was talking with her joins the conversation.
"Teacher, if they have just moved in town there shouldn't be any problem accepting them in our school. After all the school year has yet to begin" the girl then looks at Makoto and Ryoji and offers them a polite smile. "Nice to meet you Yuki, Mochizuki. I'm Tsubaki Shinra. I'm the vice-preaident of this school's Student Council". Ryoji waves at Tsubaki smiling while Makoto simply nods his head.
"Yes, you are right Tsubaki" finally says the teacher standing up. "Come with me so we can talk about your enrollment here". The teacher leaves the faculty room with Ryoji and Makoto.
"See you next monday" says the school principal as Makoto and Ryoji leave his office. "It went better than I expected" says Makoto commenting their meeting with the principal. "I'm going to pick up our uniforms. See you later Makoto" before the wildcard can say something Ryoji disappears in a 'puff' of darkness. Makoto looks at the place where Ryoji disappeared for some seconds before putting his earphones back on and walking away.
Before leaving the school Makoto sees Tsubaki Shinra dealing with some studenta who are complaining about the incoming school-year. "Vice-president what does it mean the music club will be dismissed this year?" says one of the two. "Yeah, it's unfair" says the other.
"I'm sorry but rules are rules. Without a third year student joining the club it can't be authorized, and this year there are none interested in partecipating and wanting to take the responsibility of leading a club" answers Tsubaki.
The two students vainly tries to protest and go away. Makoto watches the scene unfolds before his eyes. "Yuki, has everything gone alright?" asks Tsubaki noticing the boy. "Yes, me and Ryoji went through everything".
"Good to know, remember to give a visit to the Student Council before the school starts so you can get everything you'll need" explains Tsubaki.
"Sorry to interfering, but I heard about the Music Club, what's the problem?" asks Makoto interested.
"It's just that with no third years being in the club this year it can't start" Tsubaki sighs adjusting her glasses, she then stares at Makoto. "Are you interested in joining it?" asks her.
"Actually yes, I was going to a music shop in town before I was dragged here by Ryoji" says Makoto rolling his eyes thinking about Ryoji's antics. "If you join the music club you could indeed save it, you would make a great favor to us" says Tsubaki hoping to resolve this matter easily with the new student's help, but obviously not wanting to force the new student.
"Always happy to help" says Makoto. "Come to the Student Council tomorrow, I'll tell the president so we'll be able to set this right" Makoto nods in understanding before saying goodbye to Tsubaki.
After Makoto left the school Tsubaki headed towards the Student Council clubroom. As she enters the girl is greeted by the President of the Student Council, her king, the heir of the devil Sitri Clan, Sona Sitri or Shitori as she's known in the human world.
Sona appears from a teleportation circle wearing a refined and showy dress. "Welcome back President" greets Tsubaki. "Has the meeting with Lord Sitri gone well?". Sona hearing the question sits on one of the sofas in the room taking a deep breath before answering.
"More or less Tsubaki, with the Old Satan Faction being back and way more aggressive than ever, Father is worried about me being in the human world. I assured him everything is fine and we wouldn't try anything reckless. What about you? Any positive news?" asks Sona hoping to hear something good this day.
"I think we can fix the situation with the Music Club, two new third-year students arrived today and one of them is interested in joining. Makoto Yuki" Tsubaki informs Sona of the events of the day. "Let's meet him tomorrow then" says Sona.
Meanwhile Elizabeth was shopping at Kuoh's Mall in search of new clothes. Now that she finally could walk in the real world for more time than she was permitted by Igor, the first thing she wanted to do was do a mundane thing like shopping. New clothes also meant she could disguise herself better between other humans and it will benefit Makoto and the mission.
The attendant went through all the clothing shops without finding anything that piqued her interest. "I suppose my clothes are perfect as they are. How unfortunate I really wanted to try the excitement of shopping. Maybe I should ask Makoto to accompany me next time, we could surelyfigaure out something" says Elizabeth loudly making some of the people around here to turn back with questioning looks. The toll of a clock makes Elizabeth jump in surprise. "It's already this late!" Elizabeth looks at the mall clock reading 6 pm.
Elizabeth decides to head back to the Velvet Room, but while walking down Kuoh's streets she sees a red sheet flying above her. The woman picks it and curiously reads it's content 'make a wish and it shall be granted by a devil'.
"A devil? How curious. This is really what I needed, now how does it work?" Elizabeth stares at the flyer trying to understand it's functioning without success. "Maybe it needs a bit of power" as Elizabeth says this she summons the Persona Compendium in her hand. But before she can summon anything she's stopped by a familiar voice. "Elizabeth what are you doing?" Makoto hurries to reach his attendant as he sees her ready to summon a Persona. "What's happening?" he asks concerned.
"Don't worry Makoto, I was just experimenting something" says Elizabeth closing the book and putting the flyer between it's pages. Makoto wants to argue with that, but before he can say anything Elizabeth gives him a small box with a ribbon on it.
"I bought something I thought you might like" says her. Makoto opens the box to find a new mp3 player. "Thank you Liz, I really like it" he says already trying with it. "I asked the merchant to put numerous songs in it". The two chat about their day with Elizabeth exacerbating about her inability to find proper clothes.
04/01/2012, Kuoh Woods, Evening.
Elizabeth is taking an evening walk in the town outskirts pondering about the flyer she has found before. "An isolated place should be fine" says the woman. As Elizabeth searches for a secluded area where she can experiment on the flyer she notices a strange translucent, almost imperceptible, veil covering a part the forest that surrounds Kuoh. "What is this?" she asks herself touching the veil which behaves like a solid glass wall. She notices that by applying a little amount of force - at least for her standards - she can pass through it.
Under the magic veil a fight is occurring. A short white-haired girl and a blonde boy are fighting against a purple skinned humanoid with tar black horns and red eyes.
The monster who loomed over the two teens held a sharp dao and was parrying slashes from the boy's sword while the shorter girl tried to hit him with little success as the oni dodged all the attacks.
"Koneko I'll try to slow him down so you can hit him, understood?" asks the boy to the girl named Koneko. "Yes, senpai" the girl nods clenching her fists readying herself.
"Stop moving little bats!" roars the oni aiming a powerful swing to the boy who manages to dodge it with a step to his right.
Seeing an opportunity to strike, Koneko launches herself against the monster hitting him on his side. The oni grunts in annoyance and decide to change his focus on that white brat. "I've had enough of you pest!" the oni swiftly moves and grabs Koneko by her neck. The poor girl tries to free herself from the oni's grasp but it's too strong. "Senpai... call the president we need help" coughs Koneko. The blonde boy summons a magic circle only for it to disappear instantly. "What?" gasp both of them.
"You won't call anyone. You devils surely aren't smart as you think you are" the oni darkly laughs and stares into Koneko's eyes with his feral ones. "You will make a fine sacrifice for great Izanami!" but before the oni can do anything to Koneko the boy runs at him a sword in each hand. "You won't sacrifice anyone!" yells the boy swinging his swords as fast as he can.
The oni tosses the girl far away and resumes his fight against the blonde a . "You must be a knight, I must say that you aren't so bad. Unfortunately for you I've been fighting devils since long before you were even born, boy" the oni grins and strikes a powerful blow to the boy, disarming him. "I'm the knight of Rias Gremory... I won't let you harm anyone in this city!" proclaims the boy summoning yet another sword made of silver with a barbed blade.
"Sword Birth uh? Maybe I underestimated you, you have a fine Sacred Gear. I'll honour you by introducing myself. I'm Sothillis" the blade of the oni starts to shine black and his blonde enemy starts to feel magic channelling in the edge of the dao. "I'm Kiba Yuuto knight of Rias Gremory" the two of them stares at each other for some seconds and the battle begins once again.
Koneko was getting back again on her feet, injured after being threw away like a rock. She coughs some blood and looks around herself. 'I have to call for help' she stands back up holding her injured arm. "Oh my a lost girl! Are you ok?" suddenly Koneko hears a stranger voice and immediately turn in the direction of the voice. "Who are you?" she says alerted ready to fight back. Koneko sees a woman in blue with yellow eyes walking through the forest like nothing is happening.
"Good evening" says the woman staring at the girl. "What do you want?" asks Koneko analyzing the new arrival. 'She smells strange. Is she a devil?' thinks Koneko furrowing her brows. "I was looking for an empty space" says her. Koneko doesn't detect any lie nor with her devil senses nor with her nekomata's.
'This woman is in danger, maybe there are other people in the area. I must alert the President' thinks the short girl trying to calm her senses.
"You have to go away from here miss! this place is dangerous" warns Koneko worry in her voice.
Elizabeth is looking at the girl she has just found. "I like dangerous situations it's my job after all. But first let me handle your injuries" the attendant says confusing the girl. "This isn't something normal! you have to run away!" the girl's plea is useless as Elizabeth crouches near her patting her head. "Calm down don't worry" says her with a smile.
Koneko wants to rebute. She has to go call Rias or Akeno, she can't leave Kiba behind or let a civilian get hurt. 'I must go and bring this woman with-' while Koneko plans her next moves she feels a refreshing and cozy sensation all across her body. "Diarahan" she hears the woman say opening a... magic book? Soon the green light enveloping Koneko's wounds heals all her injuries making the girl sigh in relief.
Is this woman a wizard, but then why don't they know she's here in Kuoh? Nevermind, she doesn't have time right now. She will ask her later. "Thanks" hums Koneko softly hiding her gaze from the woman's eyes and getting back on her feet. "Well, see you girl" says Elizabeth making to leave.
"Wait! What's your name?" asks Koneko. "Elizabeth" answers the woman heading towards the core of the forest. "Wait don't go there. Please-" before Koneko finishes a loud boom is heard coming from the direction Kiba was fighting. "Senpai!" screams Koneko rushing to the source of the explosion.
Back to the fight between Sothillis and Kiba the blonde knight shifted to a more defensive style, careful to not being hitten by the oni. 'I have to earn as much time as possible so Koneko can call for help' thinks the blonde boy dodging another swing from the oni. "You can't dodge forever boy, while you might be fast you are getting tired" cockly says the oni. 'He's right. I have to attack him or I'm done'. Kiba parries a frontal swing aimed at his torso and dodges a strike from above. Even though the oni doesn't hit Kiba with a final attack he reaches to cut Kiba's sleeve.
'Damn, I'm getting slower' curses Kiba in his mind seeing the hits from the oni getting closer and closer to hit him somewhere vital. Sothillis jumps back grabbing his sword with both hands and charging up a powerful strike. "It's over for you knight of Gremory!" shouts the oni hitting the soil like a meteor with his dao and unleashing an explosive attack on Kiba.
When Koneko arrives at the scene she sees a bleeding Kiba desperately leaning on his sword planted in the ground. "Be honored Kiba Yuuto because you will be the first one in this town I'll sacrifice to my goddess" from a cloud of dust sorrounding the crater that has formed after the explosion emerges Sothillis his eyes now circled by rotating wheels of black fire. "Looks like your friend wants to join you" hearing this Kiba turns his head looking at Koneko. "Go away..." he tries to say before crumbling down from his own weight.
Koneko runs at him protecting the boy with her body. "Such a good comradeship for two devils" the oni walks closer to Koneko sword ready to strike down on her. Sothillis aims directly at Koneko's legs not wanting to kill her before the sacrifice but his sword is stopped by a woman's hand. "Such a good comradeship indeed. They remind me of my dear guest and his friends" says Elizabeth stepping between Koneko and the monster.
"What do you think you are doing, woman?" Sothillis looks at Elizabeth disgusted and annoyed by Elizabeth's presence.
"It doesn't matter. You will die too" but as he prepares to strike another blow Elizabeth hits him with the Compendium's cover making Sothillis fly away. "My guest wouldn't like me to kill you, but I warn you oni. Try again to kill someone and I'll handle you myself" Elizabeth's threat makes Koneko shiver and wanting to make herself smaller, like a prey in front of a predator.
Sothillis grabs his sword ignoring the pain. "You dare to threaten me?" Sothillis runs at Elizabeth both hands on his sword not caring about his defense, just pure and ruthless force. With a powerful blow Sothillis hits Elizabeth. "Miss!" shouts Koneko shocked at seeing Elizabeth being hit, but instead of seeing blood or a corpse Koneko sees Elizabeth completely unscathed. "Luckily I brought with me the omnipotent orb or that knife could have scratched me" says nonchalantly the Velvet Room attendant.
Sothillis roars in rage, grinding his fangs, as he attacks the woman again and again and again each blow moving the air around the two breaking the branches of some trees in the vicinity. However the attacks leave Elizabeth unfazed. The oni breathes heavily and looks at the woman in blue with pure rage. "HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE!? THIS BLADE HAS BEEN BLESSED BY THE DARKNESS OF YOMI ITSELF!" Sothillis tries to strike another blow but Elizabeth stops him. "Bufudyne" says the woman summoning Jack Frost. The demon doll spins around casting the ice spell and freezing the oni in a block of ice. "You shouldn't fight without the Universe's permission attendant hee ho" says Jack Frost with his hands on his round and cartoonish hips assuming an admonishin yet funny pose. "You even scared a little girl hee ho".
Koneko looks at the woman in a mixture of awe and fear. Then she looks at Jack Frost who tries to reassure her with a thumbs up amd a wide smile before vanishing. Koneko gulps his fear and reaches Kiba's side hoping to help him. "Please heal him..." begs the little girl. "Certainly" says the woman. Elizabeth then takes a bead from one of her pockets and breaks it above Kiba healing the boy completely.
When Kiba wakes up he sees Koneko looking at him with relief and a mysterious woman standing in front of thrm. "Koneko? What's happened? Where is the enemy? And who is this woman?" asks the boy noticing he's not injured at all, in contrast to what he remembered. "I'm Elizabeth I've helped you against that oni and healed you" says the woman. "Thanks... but I don't understand... Miss Elizabeth are you a wizard?" asks the boy.
"No, no please don't call me that. I'm a ruler of power" Kiba wants to ask more questions, but a communication circle appears on his hand. "Yuuto! Are you and Koneko fine?! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I thought that it was just a stray devil but then I lost contact with you. I'm so sorry please tell me you are fine" he hears his president and king concerned voice. "We're fine President" answers Kiba.
Just after Kiba gives his answer a crimson magic circle forms on the ground and from it two tall girls appear. The red-haired one rushes at Koneko and Kiba hugging them tightly. "Sorry sorry, you are fine thanks Satan" she then looks up seeing Elizabeth. The red haired girl casts a bolt of destruction against the attendant without thinking, but the woman simply blocks it with her hand. "President! Please she saved our lives!" Kiba grabs his king arm ans Koneko stands up going to Elizabeth. "I'm sorry for my president's behaviour" apologizes Kiba bowing to Elizabeth making the red-haired girl look down in shame.
"There's no need to apologize" says Elizabeth. "Now I'm sorry but it's getting late I need to head home". Before Elizabeth can depart the red-haired girl runs over her. "Please let me thank you for saving my servants! I don't know what I would have done without you helping them. I'll be forever in debt!" the girl bows her head embarrassed for having just attacked her peerage's saviour.
"There's no need to thank me" answers Elizabeth. "Please let me at least apologize for having attacked you. If you come to Kuoh's Academy tomorrow I promise you won't regret it".
"That sounds lovely. I never had a 'school meeting'" Elizabeth smiles accepting the offer and heads away.
"Rias I think you scared our friend there" says the other girl teasing her friend. "Come on Akeno she saved Kiba and Koneko and I attacked her with my power of destruction. I was dying of embarrassment" Rias complains to her vice.
"President what do we do with him?" asks Koneko pointing at the freezed oni. "Let's interrogate him when we're done here".